Pee schemes

Rockingit · Sep 21, 2012

My recent NICEIC thread really got me thinking last night - just about how better to get the most out of what we pay for. I'd said I'm moving to Stroma, have filled the forms in etc but not yet actually sent them any moolah, so I've now got a clear field still. So I've started to look around at what's genuinely on offer. I used to be with Elecsa (and in fairness had no complaints) before the NICEIC poached me on a free transfer, so I know all about them already. NAPIT have never really floated my boat, though in fairness I've had no personal dealings with them. So - left in the running are Corgi, Stroma, that building services outfit that NO ONE has ever heard of, and the BSI.

Stroma I've seen a few not-so-hot things on here about, Corgi and everyone will confuse you for a plumber.... so off I go to the BSI website, just to see and find out. If my reading is right, there are only 128 registered firms with the BSI scheme, and all of them in the South East. Now then, let's face it, we'd all love to have the Kitemark, after all it's instantly recognisable and fairy bomb-proof, along with ISO9001 for businesses. A fringe benefit is that they CAN'T make up additional rules to BS7671 - they publish it! Do I need a help desk for domestic? Nope! So it comes fairly down to what they can do for me, and I can do for them. With only 138 members I'm reasonably assured of some personal attention as well.

Without wishing to pee-off some of my other south/west sparky friends on here, how much marketing power is there in being able to claim being the only kitemark approved electrical contractor in the south west?!

So, I'm waiting a call back from them - will report back with my findings!

imago · Sep 21, 2012

It'll be interesting to hear the outcome as I haven't really considered BSI, and you make some good points.

Rockingit · Sep 21, 2012

Well, lovely chat on the phone (Wade - no phone number, fail) and yes it looks like they only have 138 members spread nationwide (I was wrong about the south east thing, that's a google maps error) and no-one in my immediate vicinity (or even for several local authorities radius).

Fees are on the highest side at £600+VAT but they do 10 x direct debit which takes the sting out, normal appraisal and conditions as per all the others.

So, I asked her to justify why I should spend an extra £150 with them - the reply was simply because you get the KiteMark, a symbol with a 92% consumer awareness, listings approved and PROMOTED by Trading Standards (little sceptical on that one) and a genuine Europe-wide brand recognition. Now, their KiteMark scheme isn't just for Part P, commercial companies can apply under the same criteria, so basically unlike for example the NICEIC having the DI & AC 'tiers', this is one competency scheme. You're assesed as either working to BS7671 or not, simple as, so therefore to my mind this makes a huge amount of sense when looking at commercial work and for sure all the L.A.'s won't be arguing with the KiteMark -v- NICEIC A.C.

They don't do reduced scope (hurrah!).

If my reading of their blurb is correct, I think they have a more stringent inspection standard to meet (which is a good thing!) and they make two visits not one, plus they also mention periodic checks on top. They do operate a helpdesk, you get free certs downloads and various other things as well. You don't get BSI membership with it which is a shame as that's 50% off the publications (that's £185 if you want it, but my commercial brain is working out 50%'s of BS7671 on re-sale next ammendment.....

). Choice of method to notify works.

I think I'm going to call a few companies on the list and see what they have to say about them.